Rugby league journo Paul Crawley said the judiciary’s call was “disappointing.”

“I’m not surprised (by the decision) but it does disappoint you because the rule is the rule,” he said on NRL 360.

“Whether or not you agree with it… the rule is the rule. And we’ve changed the rule in grand final week so that Billy can play.

“How do we walk away from the season feeling?”

Fellow journo Paul Kentsaid the decision has set a dangerous precedent.

“This now goes into the game as a precedent, as a not guilty decision,” he said.

“This is now a legal tackle in the game.”

Billy Slater waits for the start of his judiciary hearing. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Nick Tedeschi of The Guardian said the verdict was a “knee-jerk farce”.

“The greater issue at play is that yet another reactionary and knee-jerk decision by the game’s leadership has hurt the reputation of rugby league and made a mockery of the sport they are supposed to lead,” he wrote.

Great result for #BillySlater, but I don’t know where we now are regarding shoulder charges.The Match Review Committee is back to square one – you can now tuck an arm and contact a ball carrier with your shoulder, with force, and be found not guilty.

You’re kidding. The @NRL is a disgrace. Chew it up and spit it out however you want, it was a shoulder charge. He should be watching from the sidelines. The @NRL and their flawed judicial process has chosen a fairytale over what is right and treats fans with contempt.

I love Billy Slater, and don't support either team (or QLD or NSW). I would have hated to see Billy miss the GF, but he had to. The NRL have really compromised themselves, and made a bit of a farce of the league and the sport as a result.

What a joke!! The only reason he got off is that Slater is a protected species. You've set a very dangerous precedent now. Lookout next season. #slaterthegrub If it was anyone else – they'd be gone for a week, at least

Did anyone seriously think he was ever in danger of missing his last game, the grand final? Seriously? And that says something about the #nrl. Also says something about us as fans of the game what we are prepard to accept. #corrupt#BillySlater#nrlstorm

Weak #nrl make shambles of rules and judiciary with Billy Slater decision. No wonder rugby league is in decline and fans stay away. No GF for me it will be just another fixed game from this corrupt administration.